Moorpark has announced the promotion of Assistant City Manager PJ Gagajena to the City Manager’s role, effective June 28. Gagajena was chosen after a nationwide search that drew nearly two dozen applicants.
During his distinguished 25-year career in local government, Gagajena has handled economic development issues, budget and finance issues, human resources matters, city planning, sustainability, and community relations, the city said. He was appointed to his current position in 2020 after serving as Administrative Services Manager and Economic Development Manager in Indio.
In his current capacity, Gagajena oversees the City Clerk’s Office, Human Resources Division, and Public Information and Legislative Affairs Divisions. He is also an adjunct professor and Advisory Council Member at California Lutheran University’s Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) Program. He has taught courses on civic engagement, emergency management, and local economic development.
Gagajena earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Minor in Asian American Studies from UCLA. He holds Master’s degrees in Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He serves on the Board of Directors for the California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED) and is President of the International Network of Asian Public Administrators (I-NAPA). He previously chaired the Diversity Subcommittee for the League of California Cities’ (Cal Cities) City Managers Department and now serves on the Housing, Community, and Economic Development Policy Committee. He is a recipient of the Municipal Management Association of Southern California’s Stewardship Award (2021) and Organizational Excellence Award (2023), as well as the UCLA Bruin Excellence Award (2023).
Gagajena will succeed Troy Brown, who is retiring on June 30 after three decades in local government.
“We’ve come a long way as a city in Troy Brown’s seven years as City manager, and we’re excited to keep that momentum going with an internal hire,” said Moorpark Mayor Chris Enegren. “PJ has done an outstanding job serving as Moorpark’s Assistant City Manager, and I’m confident that he will rise to the occasion and keep Moorpark on a path to success.”